Houston picks its favorite throwback holiday photo

By Dana Guthrie, Houston Chronicle

on December 3, 2013 10:18 AM

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Congratulations to Linda Musthaler, the winner of our Throwback Holiday Photo Contest. Musthaler's photo received the most votes from readers out of our 20 finalists and is the winner of a $500 Randall's gift card.

Click through the slideshow to see the rest of the top submissions.

In the photo above: The Chmiel family celebrates young Linda's First Holy Communion in style.

Congratulations to Linda Musthaler, the winner of our Throwback Holiday Photo Contest. Musthaler's photo received the most votes from readers out of our 20 finalists and is the winner of a $500 Randall's gift ... more

In 1985 we decided to recreate the first Thanksgiving. Mom and dad as the pilgrims and the children as the Indians. It was fun and we all learned lots about the early days of our country and how people can come together in peace and be thankful for all our blessings. HAPPY THANKSGIVING ! PS We didn't really eat Bambi.

In 1985 we decided to recreate the first Thanksgiving. Mom and dad as the pilgrims and the children as the Indians. It was fun and we all learned lots about the early days of our country and how people can come ... more

In 1985 we decided to recreate the first Thanksgiving. Mom and dad... Photo-5500487.74671 - Houston Chronicle

Each Christmas for our picture we use props. This year we didn't have props so we used the bags and wrappings...was a super fun year.

Jo Watts

Each Christmas for our picture we use props. This year we didn't have props so we used the bags and wrappings...was a super fun year.

Jo Watts

Each Christmas for our picture we use props. This year we... Photo-5480009.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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When I was a kid, my mother always gathered my sister, me, and our friends together for a long day of baking and decorating Christmas cookies. I continued that tradition with my daughters, my sons, and my husband. This is one of our more recent decorating parties--2011. My husband does all of the mixing, rolling, and cookie-cutting. The kids and I do the decorating, and then even though we are all exhausted, everyone pitches in to clean up the mess.

When I was a kid, my mother always gathered my sister, me, and our friends together for a long day of baking and decorating Christmas cookies. I continued that tradition with my daughters, my sons, and my ... more

My father was an amateur photographer and it seems that he could get us together and behaving fairly well only during holidays. Like this one. That's me back left, with our oldest sister Virginia; in the front on the left our brother Kenneth and the baby at the time, Jim. I see the date on this is April 1959. So it must have been close to Easter. Hope it is still considered.

My father was an amateur photographer and it seems that he could get us together and behaving fairly well only during holidays. Like this one. That's me back left, with our oldest sister Virginia; in the front ... more

My father was an amateur photographer and it seems that he could... Photo-5500494.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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My brothers and me in our Christmas jammies that our fashionista mother used to make us. This is from Christmas 1959.

Lisa Dooley

My brothers and me in our Christmas jammies that our fashionista mother used to make us. This is from Christmas 1959.

Our whole family was born and raised in Texas, so Texas is all that we know. That is why we felt it was necessary to support our Houston Texans winning or losing. Thanksgiving is very special to us as my wife two years ago was in a coma for 70 days during Christmas and Thanksgiving and not expected to live. However, through the grace of God she is a miracle and able to share this day with her family once again. We are a truly blessed family and like to act a little crazy now and then!!! We enjoy all of our family time together and cherish the memories we are able to carry in our hearts.

Our whole family was born and raised in Texas, so Texas is all that we know. That is why we felt it was necessary to support our Houston Texans winning or losing. Thanksgiving is very special to us as my wife ... more

Our whole family was born and raised in Texas, so Texas is all that... Photo-5500496.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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This photo was taken in 1965 and our oldest brother was in the US Army. He wasn't home for the holiday but he wasn't forgotten in our home. My younger brothers dressed up in their army outfits to make us feel he was near.

This photo was taken in 1965 and our oldest brother was in the US Army. He wasn't home for the holiday but he wasn't forgotten in our home. My younger brothers dressed up in their army outfits to make us feel ... more

This photo was taken in 1965 and our oldest brother was in the US... Photo-5500497.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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I couldn't help but download 2 pictures - one is a nice family portrait and the other is when we all fell apart and had fun. It was a fun Thanksgiving!

Myrna Fair

I couldn't help but download 2 pictures - one is a nice family portrait and the other is when we all fell apart and had fun. It was a fun Thanksgiving!

Myrna Fair

I couldn't help but download 2 pictures - one is a nice family... Photo-5500498.74671 - Houston Chronicle

This picture, taken in 1933, is one of my treasures. It was taken by my mother during a family outing along the Ahr river in Germany. In the picture left to right is my uncle, my grandfather, two of my great-grandfathers and my grandmother.

This picture, taken in 1933, is one of my treasures. It was taken by my mother during a family outing along the Ahr river in Germany. In the picture left to right is my uncle, my grandfather, two of my ... more

This picture, taken in 1933, is one of my treasures. It was taken... Photo-5500502.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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Our family dressed as Pilgrims for a group photo.

Ashley William

Our family dressed as Pilgrims for a group photo.

Ashley William

Our family dressed as Pilgrims for a group photo.
Ashley... Photo-5500504.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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The resemblance is uncanny! My two boys had very similar reactions to meeting the big man in red. Oh, the drama!

Champion Lin-Abney

The resemblance is uncanny! My two boys had very similar reactions to meeting the big man in red. Oh, the drama!

Champion Lin-Abney

Photo: Picasa

The resemblance is uncanny! My two boys had very similar reactions... Photo-5500505.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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I took this photo of my two daughters, Susan and Joey, at Christmastime in 1972. We were living in Bellaire at the time. We were quite poor in those days and I made their sleeveless, collarless dresses for them to wear on Christmas. I miss those days. :)

I took this photo of my two daughters, Susan and Joey, at Christmastime in 1972. We were living in Bellaire at the time. We were quite poor in those days and I made their sleeveless, collarless dresses for them ... more

I took this photo of my two daughters, Susan and Joey, at... Photo-5500506.74671 - Houston Chronicle

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The happiness in this Christmas Eve photo reflected our joy at receiving Christmas slippers and our Christmas night robes. Three sisters in 1955 with our home spun decorated tree.

Jane Golenko

The happiness in this Christmas Eve photo reflected our joy at receiving Christmas slippers and our Christmas night robes. Three sisters in 1955 with our home spun decorated tree.